After the first couple weeks of the NBA season, the Portland Trail Blazers were rolling and in possession of one of the best records in the NBA. At the time, I wasn't giving the Blazers respect, they had potential but I had them pegged to fizzle out after going up against the leagues premier teams.

However, Rip City is back and they are for real. With Lillard, Aldridge and Batum making up Portland's big three, the Trail Blazers lack the big names and pure talent teams like Miami, Indiana and Oklahoma City bring to the table. While Aldridge is a MVP candidate, the reason the Blazers are having success is because they are beautifully put together. After posting a Western Conference leading 19-4 record, Portland has gained my respect and the respect of every other contender in the league.

2. MVP Race

Obviously, MVP discussions in December are a little crazy, but at this point in the season I have to give the nod to Paul George. George has been a monster this season and has taken the Pacers to new heights, if George has the 20-3 Pacers playing at this level at the end of the season, there should be no question as to who deserves the Maurice Podoloff trophy.

LaMarcus Aldridge, Kevin Durant and Lebron James will continue to make George work for the award, but currently, it doesn't even look like King James would be opposed to handing George the crown. After the Pacers defeated the Heat earlier this week, James said, "The biggest difference in George, I think, is confidence. He has the confidence of being the go-to-guy, knowing that he's the guy that has to go out and do it every night."

3. Tweets From Around the NBA

“My Goodness it feels good to be back and playing! Easy to take it all for granted.. God I LOVE playing this game #Blessed - @KobeBryant

“Picture bein broke without a pot to piss in, then suddenly yo idols is yo competition. They use to be like Gods to me.. Slowly loosin my religion” - @Dame_Lillard

“Traveling with my children to go see @Paul_George24 play. Please vote for him on the NBA All Star ballot.” - @FloydMayweather

“If I looked angry during the game its cause I used bengay on my knees under my black tights. Somehow it got on my balls. Burned so bad.” - @Hoya2aPacer

“Adversity is a fact of life, it can’t be controlled. What we can control is how we react to it…” - @CP3

4. The Masterpiece: Kobe 9 Elite

Throughout the month of December, Nike has been releasing sneakers from the Kobe Prelude Pack including the Nike Zoom Kobe Prelude II and the Prelude IV. All of this is leading up to the February 8th release of the Kobe 9 Elites. The 9s will feature an extremely light weight design and the colorway is nothing short of brilliant. The Kobe 9 Elites will set you back $225.

5. Trade News

Daryl Morey and the Houston Rockets have publicized a self-imposed December 19th deadline for the rights to Center, Omer Asik. The seven-foot Turkish baller has a multitude of skills that can take any contender to the next level, proving himself as an above average defender, rebounder and passer for his position.

Asik’s new team will be able to take him at a bargain because the way Morey initially structured the deal. The new team will have to pay Asik the $15 million he is due, but the team cap hit is only $8 million, a bargain for his skills. The Sixers are reported to have the best chance at signing the big man, but multiple teams could be in play.

6. Sunday Street's Video of the week

This is a must watch for anyone who claims to love streetball or basketball in general. Released just last year, this documentary, featuring Dr. J and Kenny Smith, sheds light on the birth and culture of true streetball.

7. Top 10 Old School Hip-Hop Artists

Run DMC

2Pac

N.W.A

Notorious B.I.G.

Snoop Dogg

Public Enemy

Eric B. & Rakim

Dr. Dre

Wu-Tang Clan

Ice Cube

8. Doc Rivers Returns Home

Clearly, Doc Rivers is one of the best coaches to ever walk the bench, but as most fans of the game know, he is also a great man as well. So you would think when he returned to Boston he would receive a warm welcome, well that is precisely what happened when the Clippers faced the Celtics Wednesday night at the Garden, and Rivers couldn't be more pleased.

"It's just a special, different place, and people were born here and raised here and they cheer for their teams, and they love their athletes," said Rivers. "And it's just a great place to be. The best decision I ever made was 10 years ago, when I decided to come."

9. Competitive Race for the Worst Team

As we suspected at the start of the season, several teams, or at least their management, are actively trying to tank in hopes of landing one or more of the elite players that will be available in the 2014 NBA draft. Ballers like Julius Randle, Marcus Smart, Andrew Wiggins and Jabari Parker are the reason why professional teams have all but given up on winning this year.

Currently, the Bucks are in the lead for the number 30 spot, but the Jazz, Kings, and the entire bottom half of the Eastern Conference will make it interesting the rest of the way.

10. Five Quick Questions

Can/Will the Pacers win 70+ games this season?

Which team has the best Big 3 in the NBA?

What team under .500 is in the best shape?

Should the NBA consider doing away with the conferences?

Will Derrick Rose go down as one of the best point guards in NBA history or the best that never was?